Office of the Vice-President Research
Office of the Vice-President Research
Our mission
Thompson Rivers University will earn recognition as the most committed and innovative university in Canada for research and scholarship based on community partnerships for involving graduate students community-centred research and for undergraduate research training.
Our actions will be defined by shared, deeply held values. We respect each other (Xyemstwécw), the land, knowledge, the peoples of our region and beyond.
Strategic Research Plan
Thompson Rivers University is entering a new phase where our research is advanced not only by individual scholars and projects, but also by strategic partnerships, collaborations and international networks. TRU’s new 2022-27 Strategic Research Plan articulates the key challenge areas where we will strive to make significant contributions during the next five years.
- Understanding and responding to changing climate, its consequences for our environments (built, natural, social), and pursuing sustainable solutions.
- Contributing to greater social cohesion and sense of belonging through a commitment to social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility.
- Strengthening health, quality of life, and cultural sustainability in our local and regional communities.
- Advancing technological, social and economic development and innovation that improves people’s lives.
- Seeking truth, reconciliation, and rights through Indigenous-led research and capacity building.
Our Strategic Research Plan represents a road map to connecting research with community needs, engaging in global research challenges and ensuring the research enterprise contributes to the university’s 10-year strategic change goals. In the next 10 years, TRU will lead in community research and scholarship while supporting all faculty members in knowledge-seeking, knowledge creation, and creative inquiry.
Thompson Rivers University campuses are on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwepemcúl’ecw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. The region TRU serves also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot'in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples.
Upcoming information sessions
Research Ethics & REB Processes for First-time Researchers
November 25, 2024
2 - 4 p.m.
OLARA Research Hub
Open to the public. No registration required.
In the news
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Rod McCormick: leading the drive for change
Dr. Rod McCormick is the first scholar at TRU to be elected as a Royal Society of Canada Fellow, an honour he receives at a Nov. 8 ceremony.
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Faculty member examines species at risk legislation in The Conversation
Canada’s laws aren’t doing enough to protect species at risk, faculty member Courtney Mason and research associate Jordyn Bogetti write.
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Indigenous researcher from TRU elected as Royal Society of Canada Fellow
Dr. Rod McCormick is among 104 new Fellows recognized by the Royal Society of Canada for scholarly achievements.
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Partnership develops improved wildfire management
TRU and two other Interior universities have partnered with the City of Kamloops and BC Wildfire Service to develop wildfire resources.
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Tracking the future of wildlife conservation
What started as a job as the wildlife technician tracking the elusive fisher turned into a master’s research project for this TRU student.
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Seedpods and drones: The future of forest reclamation
A new initiative between TRU and Tree Track Intelligence shows how academia and industry can work together to create solutions.
More news
The Conversation
The Conversation is an international independent source of news and views from the academic and research community. TRU has been a contributing member since 2018.
More from The Conversation
Events
Science Meets Parliament program
Date: November 20, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: OLARA
Please join faculty members Anusha Venkataraman, Nisha Puthiyedth and Lorry-Ann Austin to learn about their experiences.
Research ethics info session
Date: November 25, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: OLARA
We'll discuss registering for ROMEO and the importance of theTri-Council Policy Statement, etc.
Community-based research – discussion
Date: January 30, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: OLARA
Join us for an in-depth discussion on integrating ethical principles into community-based research.
View all TRU events View more research events
Research is on the rise at TRU
TRU research storytellers
Dr. Rees’s SSHRC-funded research helps to inform science and math education, providing children with a love of discovery and the confidence to ask great questions and look to science for the answers.
